
SIMEONE WANTS TO SIGN ANOTHER STRIKER
Atlético Madrid pushes to keep Álex Baena away from Barcelona
Published:18/01/2025 - 01:33h
Updated:19/01/2025 - 08:20h
Atlético Madrid is looking to add a 'top' reinforcement to their attack in the winter market. Diego Simeone has set his sights on Álex Baena, one of FC Barcelona's alternatives for the left flank.
Álex Baena is the next reinforcement on Diego Simeone's radar for his Atlético Madrid. The Villarreal winger, also on FC Barcelona's radar, has the ideal characteristics to fit into the 'Cholo's' scheme, but his signing will not be easy to finalize in the winter market, as the 'Yellow Submarine' insists on demanding the payment of the clause for the player from Roquetas de Mar to let him go.
The Castellon team set their exit price at 60 million euros, a price that the 'Colchonero' team would only be willing to pay next summer. The 'Rojiblancos' invested 185 'kilos' in the last summer market, so they do not foresee another high expenditure in January, especially since the team has been doing a good job offensively so far (they have scored 59 goals in 29 matches).
Villarreal does not intend to facilitate Álex Baena's departure
In this sense, the stance of the 'Yellow Submarine' management is clear: Baena will only leave for a team willing to pay his clause immediately. The winger has a contract until June 2028 and this season has 4 goals and 5 assists in 18 matches with Marcelino García's team (1,399 minutes). For the Spanish international, an offer from Barça would be a dream come true, but the player is aware of the tough competition he faces in the market to try to join the blue and garnet team.
Barcelona is eyeing forwards like Nico Williams, Rafael Leao, and Luis Díaz, all three with a much more attractive profile than Álex in terms of individual quality and goal production. Additionally, the club has other 'low-cost' alternatives on the table, thinking about the second half of the 2024-25 season. Marcus Rashford, for now, sounds like the most interesting option, as long as the club manages to cash in on some transfer. Thus, the '16' of Villarreal has no choice but to wait for some team to pay his clause, something unlikely in the winter market.